I have pure o ocd, and I’m filling out my heirarchy but I’m struggling to understand triggers and therefore exposures. I generally just get thoughts for no reason, particularly when my mind is idle I just start scanning for potential worries, and there aren’t any specific triggers like with contamination ocd. When I have a specific worry, it just pops up - and although my compulsions are clear (rationalising, reassurance seeking). How do you build out triggers and exposures in this case? Do I need to just think about the worry without doing the compulsion?

Username: Jenna OverbaughJenna Overbaugh

User type: Therapist

Date posted: 2y ago

all of this is super common! first of all, pure o is a really common term that people often use when they think they have no compulsions - but there are always some compulsions present even if it's as subtle as avoidance or a mental compulsion which can be sneaky at times. even from what you've written out, it seems like "when my mind is idle" is a trigger for you. from what you mentioned it seems like this is when you end up scanning and checking for particular worries. i would encourage you to put yourself in more idle time type of activities eg driving or showering and nighttime tend to be harder for people . go into these activities with the intention of being mindful and maybe i do have worries maybe i don't but i'm not going to try to figure them out at this time. also think about any other related scenarios that you avoid or have to ritualize through in order to get through.

Username: William0cdWilliam0cd

Date posted: 2y ago

Thank you! This is really helpful, it’s true I avoid moments where I have too much time to think so I’m going to try to be less avoidant. It’s weird I feel like the ERP is helping with the ocd but instead of the ocd I just have this weird nagging feeling, although its definitely better than the ocd loop.

Username: zayjay123zayjay123

Date posted: 2y ago

Have you ever monitored your mood / thoughts throughout the day before? Tracking these can help identify triggers. I also thought that I didn’t have triggers until I read back through my log.

Username: William0cdWilliam0cd

Date posted: 2y ago

No I haven’t don’t that as I’m just getting started, but I feel like I have these thoughts almost continually for 2 months so there’s absolutely no respite.

Username: zayjay123zayjay123

Date posted: 2y ago

@William0cd It can be hard to think of exposures when it comes to themes that don’t have visible compulsions. It seems as if you’ve identified some compulsions already. Existentialism is one of my big themes & part of my exposure is leaving sticky notes of my biggest fears (such as my life being a simulation), and not engaging in ruminating. I definitely recommend doing some mood / thought tracking throughout the day as a good starting point. Are you doing ERP on your own?

Username: William0cdWilliam0cd

Date posted: 2y ago

I have my first session this Tuesday with Heidi Vanderlei which I’m excited about, I tried to do erp on my own but I’m not sure I’m doing it correctly - I tried to sit with the thought but the compulsions are so quick in my mind even when you are trying not to do one your brain just gives you a micro reassurance so I’m worried it’s not going to work. How do you track your thoughts, in the app? Sticky notes is a good idea, I could try that!

Username: Orange-Colored_GlassesOrange-Color...

Date posted: 2y ago

It’s great that you’re going to work with a therapist! She’ll demystify ERP for you! One thing you might learn in therapy is that you can “spoil” compulsions that come up automatically.

Username: laura93

Date posted: 5y ago

Hey! I’m a POCD sufferer and I was wondering if anyone who is doing ERP has any good suggestions for exposure heirarchies that I could take inspiration from? I’m starting CBT soon but I can only get it in a group and I don’t feel super comfortable talking about the details of POCD yet cos it feels really embarrassing. So far I’ve thought of going to the pool/park, or writing down my thoughts and looking at them, but my OCD really goes wild if I try to masturbate or if I feel aroused at all...at the moment I’m avoiding anything like that because it’s so distressing, but is that something I should do exposures for in the future?

Username: Anon, Anon

Date posted: 49w ago

Specific, difficult-to-trigger OCD

My problem with OCD/ERP is that it’s very situational and hard to trigger. So it’s hard to create exposures. My trigger is job offers. I obsess obsess obsess about them if they don’t feel just right, ask for lore time, call everyone I know, do obsessive Research, lose all perspective, and then either accept or reject the at the last minute without much confidence. Then my brain tells me I made the wrong choice, and my compulsion is to prolong the decision-making process by undoing and redoing the decision (“I accept! [2 hours later] Actually, I don’t want the job. Oh just kidding, I do! Oh wait, I don’t.”) How the fuck do I do ERP for this?! It’s not like germ phobia where exposure to the trigger is easy (there are germs everywhere). Job offers, real ones, don’t come around often (thank goodness) but when they do it is hell. This used to happen with smaller decisions but thank god that seems to be less so now

Perfectionism OCD

Username: WrappedinIvy

Date posted: 47w ago

Trigger myself

Hi, I need an advice, I can't trigger myself! I want to do ERP but Everytime I try to trigger myself I feel nothing so it won't work. On the other side OCD triggers me outside of my ERP and I react wrong to it. Has anyone an Idea how to trigger myself properly, or should I wait for OCD to come? But how can I be prepared for it?

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